Active Di Box v Passive DI Box

J

jonhope

Member
Messages
77
Hey everyone,

I have a question about DI boxes for electric guitar into a mixer.

I currently have a passive DI Box hooked up to the back of my amp and into the bands mixer. This is a passive mixer which then goes to a pair of powered active speakers.

I can only go into a line level input in the mixer as all the mic inputs are already taken up.

The issue is that to get a half decent volume through the PA the channel needs to be almost dimed.

Now my band leader says she has talked to a local music shop and they say I should be using an active DI box rather than a passive one to get a stronger signal into the mixer - as far as I know using an active DI box will not improve or change the sound for the better and also has a downside that it needs power (the mixer has phantom power but the channel I have to use doesnt have it as its a "line level" channel)

I dont want to have to buy another DI box if I dont have to but as always want my sound to be the best it can be

So, with my set-up is an active DI box better than a passive one - or will it make no difference?


:beer



By the way the DI box I have has a speaker sim so the active box will need this as well
 
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D

DSmith

Member
Messages
110
Active vs passive will have no difference in level sent to the PA mixer. There are DI boxes with preamps built in for acoustic guitar that are active, but that's different than just a typical DI.

The line-level inputs on your board will not have the same amount of available signal boost (gain) as the microphone input channels. What you're doing is common for bands that need an extra mono channel and don't want to buy a board with more mic level channels. If there's an instrument that has a hotter signal (keys), I'd recommend swapping inputs with that instrument. If what you're doing works, then there's nothing incorrect about it as long as you're getting sufficient levels at the board.
 
speakerjones

speakerjones

Member
Messages
2,299
How far away from the mixer are you? The output from the back of your amp is most likely line level. If you aren't too far from the mixer, just go directly from the amp to the board and forget the DI altogether. Otherwise, buy a bigger board.
 
jmoose

jmoose

Member
Messages
5,285
jonhope said:
I currently have a passive DI Box hooked up to the back of my amp and into the bands mixer. This is a passive mixer which then goes to a pair of powered active speakers.

I can only go into a line level input in the mixer as all the mic inputs are already taken up.

The issue is that to get a half decent volume through the PA the channel needs to be almost dimed.
Click to expand...


The reason for the low level is because you shouldn't be using a DI box at all... its the wrong tool for the job. Round peg in a square hole.

Any DI box active or passive converts line level, high impedance to mic level... low impedance. The output of the DI wants to see a mic preamp, not a line level input. That's why it's low and probably sounds not so good.

If you really need to run into a line level input on the mixer, there's no reason you can't string a cable right from line out of the amp to line in on the mixer.

The funny thing is that if you DID get an active DI box it wouldn't work at all since it needs phantom power from the mic preamp to power up!

The best solution is to either get a new mixer, or get an external mic amp and run the DI to that... and the output of the micamp goes to line in on the mixer.
 
J

jonhope

Member
Messages
77
Thanks guys for your input - you have put my mind at rest

My amp doesn't have a line out which is why I use a DI box.

We have a keyboard player who usually plugs into a mic input - I have had a chat to him and he uses his amps line out into the mic input.

So, we have got a square peg in a round hole and a round peg in a square hole - the good thing is that it is easy to switch which will resolve the issue. :cool:

Once again thanks for your help guys

:beer
 
L

LSchefman

Member
Messages
13,432
Just as an FYI, there are DI boxes like the Avalon U5 that have both a line level out and a mic level out.

This gives you two level choices, and interfaces well with just about everything, but it IS relatively expensive for a DI.

It also sounds fantastic.
 
walterw

walterw

Platinum Supporting Member
Messages
41,461
why are you even using a box at all?

a mic in front of the amp will always sound better than any DI for electric guitar.
 
Pietro

Pietro

2-Voice Guitar Junkie and All-Around Awesome Guy
Messages
16,491
For this, if it's a very simple speaker sim you need... you can NOT beat a used (or even new) POD 2.0 bean, or something like that.
 
J

jonhope

Member
Messages
77
walterw said:
why are you even using a box at all?

a mic in front of the amp will always sound better than any DI for electric guitar.
Click to expand...

Hi,

Why am I using a DI? simply because I have a good one with an excellent speaker sim (TAD F.A.N.T.A) and I dont have a mic suitable for the cabinet (SM58 or E906 etc).

I do accept that a properly miked cabinet will sound better than even the best DI boxes speaker sim but I'm not sure the difference in quality is worth the outlay.

With my band the feed to the PA helps my amp in projecting the sound but is mainly used as a monitor feed for the rest of the band as we run an in-ear monitor set-up.

I am happy to be persuaded that the cost of a good mic (E906?) will make a worthwhile difference

:beer
 
S

Scott Whigham

Member
Messages
3,530
I get it - you certainly aren't alone in not wanting to deal with the hassle of miking onstage. You spend 45 minutes dialing it in and then someone accidentally kicks your mic stand arrrrhrhhhghghghghghghghg

I looked at getting a Marshall JMP-1 for this reason - just running straight to the board/mixer. That's what Johnny A. is using today. He doesn't even use a speaker-based amp apparently and just hears himself through the subs.

I am a bit confused when you tell me that you (a) have a speaker sim, and (b) still want to go DI. I don't know the TAD FANTA though but any quality speaker sim should have a line level out. I'm not an expert in sims but any high end one that I've looked at had line level + 1/4" going out - no DI needed.

Are you sure it doesn't have that already? Sorry if I'm messing up your thread by asking a dumb question - I'm genuinely trying to help (and understand myself!) :)
 
J

jonhope

Member
Messages
77
Scott Whigham said:
I am a bit confused when you tell me that you (a) have a speaker sim, and (b) still want to go DI. I don't know the TAD FANTA though but any quality speaker sim should have a line level out. I'm not an expert in sims but any high end one that I've looked at had line level + 1/4" going out - no DI needed.

Are you sure it doesn't have that already? Sorry if I'm messing up your thread by asking a dumb question - I'm genuinely trying to help (and understand myself!) :)
Click to expand...

Hi,

What I have is a DI Box with in-built speaker sim.

SE%20FANTA%20green.jpg


"The F. A. N. T. A. (Frequency Adapted Natural Tone Accessory, say: 'FANTA') Speaker Emulation is a low impedance, balanced symmetric, transformer coupled output. It gets wired between the speaker output of your amp and the speakers and does not require any power supply or battery. The F.A.N.T.A. provides a 3-pin XLR-Connector for a standard microphone cable to connect to the mixing console, recording system etc.
The signal runs trough a sophisticated speaker emulation which features a revolutionary unique quality: The emulation is reacting to your playing style!
Clean signals will sound clear and bright with only slight compression but if you play distorted then the emulation will sound smooth, punchy and big bottomed with good compression. Just what you expect from the perfect speaker cabinet.
F. A. N. T. A. This is what separates the Silencer from common speaker emulators; ...the F.A.N.T.A. Emulation will respond to your playing and reacts like a real speaker system. You won't need to mic the amp anymore."


http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/produc...d=666&osCsid=8281ec218dccdfe0788d32e9141fe2e2

:beer
 
S

Scott Whigham

Member
Messages
3,530
Ahhhh - okay... I was guessing it was something different. I was expecting something like an Axe-Fx or the Marshall units or something. I'm sorry - I totally crapped all over your thread with my unhelpful comments lol.

Now my band leader says she has talked to a local music shop and they say I should be using an active DI box rather than a passive one to get a stronger signal into the mixer - as far as I know using an active DI box will not improve or change the sound for the better and also has a downside that it needs power (the mixer has phantom power but the channel I have to use doesnt have it as its a "line level" channel)
Click to expand...
I'm of the same impression you are. The difference is in the sound, not the amount of sound. WTF would that matter any way?
 
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